Block-press



w.. 0.*BUBREL'L AND1.. BELLINGHAM.

W. .C. BURRELL AND JA Bl-LLINGHAVl BLOCK PRESS.

y Y APP'ucATloN`nLED 050.14. 19H. 153741,81 8, Patented Apr.' 12, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 3/ 33 53 fle//mg/xam ff C. Buffe/ w. o. BURRELL AND1.BELLINGH'AM. j

BLlocK PRESS. v APPLICATIONv FILED DEC. 14, 19|?. 1,374,818- Pmseszf;5221 l37 341 3' sa W. C. BURRELL AND J. BELLINGHAM.

BLOCK PRESS. APPLICATION FILED DC, 14, l9l7- kW. C. BURRELL AND1.BELLINGHAM.

BLOCK PRESS.

APPLICATIONHLED DEC. 14. 1.917.

Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

6 SHEETS- SHEET 5| 7.

M9 /9/5 /0j7 /66 fg biail paz 20. Mw @l j j@ W. C. BURHELL AND J.BELLINGHAM.

BLOCK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED 050.111.1917.

v 1,374,818. Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNiTED 'STATES PATENT i OFFICE.

wrLLrAivr o. BURRELL, or KaNKannn, rLLrNoIs AND JOHNBELLINGHAM, or

iviasfrnn'roN, NEW ZEALAND, Assis-None To SAID BELLINGHAM AND WIL- LIAMBoven cHnNNnLLs,. or Mes'rnnrom, New ZEALAND.

enoo K-Pnnss.

i ,s esta Specification of Letters latent. i V,Patented,ADIZ 12, 1921.

Application filed December 14,1917. Serial No. 207,070.

To @ZZ 107mm t may concern: y i Be 1t known that we, WILLIAM (J. BUR-nnLL, a citizen or the United States or America, and residing 2111622Greenwood of Kankakee, in theV has for its primary object the provisionot an improved block press which vshall have improveifl means wherebythe pressed article may be removed from the press in perfect condition.@ther objects' of our invention are: Y f

To provide, in combinationl with a downwardly discharging mold, a tableand means whereby the table supports the article during the processotinolding the same, descends vertically from the mold-and, followingsaid descent, glides laterally in the press to lering' the linishedarticlesu'l'liciently clear of the main traine of the machine tofacilitate its removal; to provide rigid anti-friction elements iorlateral movement of the table in the press and resilient 'members siSporting a table in spaced relation vto the elements whereby, uponcompression oi the nninbers, the table top contacts with the rigidanti-iriction elements and gives a rigid supp-of; omiosing4 pressureexerted upon the mo l; to providea mounting and guides for said tablewhereby lateral movement of the table is prevented until it hasdescended .m the mold r-distanceV slightly greater than that JromV thebottom ot the lmold to t io tip the mold cavity: to soconstruct saidtable mounting that the table may be operated independentljf or other.parts ot the pressgvto so constructsaidtable and its mounting that itopposes pressure exerted upon the mold; to provide an improved form oi'pressing device; to provide a mold 1novable laterally in a raceway, apressing device having;` .i normal .tendency to enter the path ofmovement ci" 'the mold, a table frame Y lowered by .gravity and aconnection between Vthe pressing device and the table frame ywhereby thedevice is normally held out of the path of movement of the mold; toprovide a pressing device bodily adjustable with respect to the pressingposition of the mold; to provide a pressing device, toggles foroperating the same, actuating means for the toggles, a support for thetoggles adjustable with respect to the mold and an actuating element forthe toggles independentlyadjustable with respect to the mold and thetoggle supports; to provide an improved form ol mold which, while`constructedilor downward discharge of almoldedarticle, is invertibleand movable laterally 0In the pressing device to facilitate charging, to

tion, diverge downwardly from the molded article; to provide expandingwallinolds in combination with cores movable laterally of said walls;Vto vhrovide an improved construction for simultaneousoperation of such awall and core; to provide an iinproved' mold construction whereby' theylinished articleis given a deep peripheral recess and a relativelyshallow peripheral channel opening` angularly into said recess; toprovide an improved form of mold plunger constructed to resistdistortion under great pressure; to provide an improved plunger andmeans for adjustably limiting its movement in the mold whereby the depthof the mold cavity maybe varied; to provide a mold centrally trunnionedon 'a horizontal axis and shaped to'iorm an article'wl'iich is heavierlon one side of said axis than the other, iny combination withconstantly horizontal movable table arrangedto prevent tilting ofthemold and to support in and carry from the mold such an Hoverbalancedarticle. f

f Other objects and advantages of four in-v Fig. is the rear endelevation thereof 7o] .provide an K improved form of expanding f Y moldthe walls of which, In expanded posiwith parts broken away andillustrating that position of the parts wherein an article is beingpressed within the mold;

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the mold forming a part of our inventionand illustrating in section, portions of a carriage and a trunnion bymeans ofwhich the mold is supported in carriage;

Fig. 6 is a mutilated section taken approximately on line 6 6 of Fig. 5,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a section similar' to Fig. 6 showing the discharging positionof the mold parts and including on opposite sides of the mold the outerends of bearing rods by means of which a core bar is supported in themold frame; these bearing rods in Fig. 5 stand slightly to the right ofthe section line 6 6, but are inserted in Fig. 7 for betterunderstanding of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the, mold and its carriage, certain pillowblocks normally attached to the mold plunger being omitted for the sakeof clearness; y

Fig. 9 is a horizontal fragmentary mutilated section taken substantiallyon line 9-9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of a modified form of plunger for the moldwhich is adapted to form a molded article heavier at one end than theother;

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 10, looking in the directionindicated by the arrows and including portions of the mold box togetherwith an article beingV formed therein;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Reference numeral 2O indicates generally a base comprising broadparallel channels 21 and 22 spanned by the heavy steel plate 23 rivetedon its edges to the tops of the channels. This base is of sufficientwidth to accommodate the movement of various parts hereafter to bedescribed, and from opposite sides of the .base rise parallel pillarsnumbered 24 and 25 on one side ofthe press and 26 and 27 respectively onthe opposite side. Near their upper ends the pairs of pillars 24 and 25,and 26 and 27, are re spectively joined by cross bars 28 and 29.Preferably the pillars 24 to 28 are channel shaped in cross section withtheir concavities opening toward each other to accommodate between theirside webs vertical tension rods 31 and 32 on one side of the machine and33 and 34 on the opposite side, these tension rods being bolted by nuts35 to the base channels 21 and 22, and at their upper ends secured tohorizontal brackets 36 formed at the upper ends of the pillars, nuts 37being threaded on the tension rods above said brackets. The pillars andtension rods, together with their cross bars 28and the base 20, form themain frame of our invention.

Rising from the base 20 are posts 38 and 39 on one side of the press and41 and 42 on the opposite side, the posts 38 and 4l being opposite eachother and 39 and 42 being also opposed on the opposite sides of the baseand spaced from the posts 38 and 41. Mounted in suitable bearingsformednear the base of the main frameare three parallel horizontally alinedshafts 43, 44 and 45, each supporting the lower end of one of threetable legs 46, 47 y and 48 which move in parallelism and at their upperends are pivoted on, axles 49, 51 and 52, respectively, to a table framegenerally indicated at and comprising spaced parallel rails 54 and 55.The leg 47 is ixedly mounted on shaft 44, the latter carrying a fixedtable frame operating arm 56 and preferably a similar shorter arm 57 forconvenience in manipulation. By manipulation of arm 56 or 57 the tableframe 53 is elevated from itslower position shown in Fig. 1, to itsupper position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3; the position of arms 56 and57 -in the upper position of the table being indicated by the dottedcenter lines 58 and 59 respectively in Fig. 1. Rising from the bearings61 and 62 of shaft 43 are a pair of spaced studs 63 and 64 which uphold,respectively, compression springs 65 and 66 adapted to extend above thestuds and to receive and cushion the fall of the table frame 53. Inthe'elevation of the table frame the legs 46, 47 and 48 move from theirslanted position in Fig. 1 upwardly through the vertical and slightlypast it to the p'osition'shown in Fig. 3, and when they have completedthis movement, a detent 67 secured laterally of the table frame strikesthe pillar 26 laterally vpreventing onf ward movement of the table legs.By this construction the table frame is maintained in elevated positionagainst vertical pressure exerted against it.

The movement of the table frame 53, considering its position in Fig. 3,is rearwardly of the main frame to the position shown in Fig. 1; itbeing applicants intention throughout this specification to consider theleft hand end of the press as viewed in Fig. 1 as the forward end, andthe right hand end, the rear end. Horizontally fixed upon the upper endsof the posts 38, 39, 41 and 42 are parallel rails 67 and 68 forming araceway for travel of the mold generally indicated at 69 in Figs. 1, 2and 3. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the mold is adapted to enter aposition centrally of the pillars of the main frame and dischargesdownwardly from that position. At opposite ends the rails 67 and 68 areprovided with bumpers 71 whereby travel of the mold lll) Cri

in its raceway is limited. Positioned for travel upon the table trame isa table best shown in Figs. 3 and d comprising the top 72 provided atits side edges with longi-` tudinally disposed angle irons 73 the webs7l of which are vertically slotted asat 75 to provide bearings for aplurality of axles 76 which carry, preferably integral therewith,rigidsmetal rollers 77, these rollers running upon the rails 67 and 68.The top 72 and angles 7 3 are held spaced above the e '72, the angles73-and the rollers 77 in the position illustrated in Fig. e whereinthere is a space between the bottoms of the horizontal webs of theangles 73 and the tops of rollers 77. ln this position of the parts thetable 72 glides upon the table frame. v Pio jecting laterally from thesides of the table and centrally thereof are a pair of guide studs 7 9preferably journaled upon stub shafts 8l to reduce vfriction of thestuds.

lVhen the table is at Vtherear end of theV lowered table frame as inFig. l, it. iseasily moved by hand inwardly of the press to the verticalcenter thereof. Fixed to each oit the posts 38 and l-l is a pair ofvertically positioned channel guides 82 and 83, the lower end ot theforward guide 82 depending substantially the thickness ot one of thestuds 79 below t-he level of the-lower end ot the rearward guide 83, thelower ends of guides 82 standing level with the studs 79 to limit inwardtravel ot the table upon the table framef Witb ,ther parts asillustrated in F ig. l the table is moved by hand until studs 79 strikeguides`82 following which the elevation oi the table frame causes theframe to glide underthe table and to elevate the table in constantlyhorisontal position andin a vertical path' until detentv67 strikespillar 26, when a spacing plate 84 carried upon the table top 72 strikesa palette board 85 forming a movable bottom for the mold '69. As thetable frame is elevated the table andits rollers 77 kmaiutain the spacedrelation shown in Fig. i until the trame has almost reached its highestpoint. J ust before this point is yreached the spacing plate 811-strilres the palette board 85 and the completion of the elevatingmovement of the table trame compresses springs 78, because el? theweight of the mold,bring ing the horizontal webs oi" angles 7 3 of thetable into direct Contact with the rigid rollers 77 thus providing arigid support from the base of the machine to the palette board 85 forresisting downward pressure upon the mold. The springs 78 are, however,ot su'licientl strength to elevate the table above the rollers when thetable :trame is lowered, even under the weight of a vblock freshlymolded and discharged upon the table. As

the tablerframe descends the studs 79Atraverse the vertical guides 82and 83 until the table frame is at the bottom of its path of movement.In this position the studs 79 are clear of the guides 83 and the tableis easily rolled by hand to the rear end of the table trame where thefinished article stands clear of the main :traine of theniachine and isthus conveniently accessible for removal. As best seen in Fig. 4 thebearings V74 oit the table overlap the outerV surfaces of the tableframe rails 67 and 68 thereby preventing displacement of the tablelaterally of its frame. f

The pressing device of our invention com# prises a presser foot 86strengthened by trusses 87 formed on its upper surface in combinationwith toggle mechanism and means 1for actuating the same. For aconsiderable distance the upper ends of the' tension rods 3l, 32, 33 and3dr `are threaded, and embracing the upper ends of these rods are a pairof parallel yokes 88 and89, yoke 88 at its opposite ends embracing andtraveling upon tension rods 3l and 33 and yoke 89 similarly engagingrods 32 and 34. Above and below the ends of veach yoke are lock nuts 91threaded upon the tension rods to maintain the yokes in any givenelevation. Each pillar of the main frame is provided somewhat below thevnormal position of the yolres 88 and 89 withan oblique brace 92pivotallyv bolted at its lower end 93 to the pillar and longitudinallyslotted at its upper end 'for engagement by ay bolt 94; which passesthrough the slot and is fixed in the adjacent yoke at a kpoint remotefrom the tension rod. Thus the main frame of the machine on each sideofthe pressis spanned by yoles 88 and 89 and the press strengthenedagainst weaving by braces 92. It is to be notedthat the constructionjust described provides a considerable amplitude of vertical adjustmentfor yolres 88 `and-89 whileV retaining at yalltimes the necessaryrigidity inithe frame ofthe press. From each of thevyolres 88 and 89 ispivotally suspended a set of toggles 95 lrnuckled at their meetingendspon a horizontal shaft 96 and pivotally connected at their lowerends on shaft 97 to the trusses 87; of presser foot 86, the presser tootbeing constantly maintained in horizontal position. At each-side et themain frameV a pair of spacedk hangers `98 are suspended for verticaladjustment from crossbar 28.v Suspended from each pair ot hangers 98 isVa. bridge 99 litting between the pillars 24 and 25 or 26 and 27,

as the case maybe, and having extendedends 101 which overlap the innerand outer sides of each pillar. The bridges 99 are apertured forpassageot' the hangers 98 and the threaded lower ends of the hangerscarry nuts 102 above and below the horizontal web of the bridge, thisconstruction providing tor vertical adjustment of the bridgesindependently of yolres 88 and 89. Mounted on each bridge is a shaftbearing 103, these bearings being coaxial and adapted to rotatablysupport a horizontal main shaft 101 carrying lined opposite linl; arms105. Links 106 connect the. arms 105 to the knuckle shafts 96 et therespective sets of toggles whereby rotation ot main shaft 1011 causesactuation ot the toggles. best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the shaft 10acarries lined operating arms 107 and 108. Considering the parts in theposition of Fig. 1, downward movement of operating arin 107 to aposition indicated by the dotted center line 109 vill rotate the mainshaft 1011 and straighten the opposite sets of toggles into the positionillustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, thus lowerin presser foot 86 and causingit to exert pressure downward in a vertical direction upon the mold.

lt will be obvious 'from 1 that the weight or the presser foot 86, thetoggle sets 95 and the operating arms 107 and 108, which aresubstantially parallel, gives the pressingl device as a whole a tendencyto lower the presser Jroot 86 into the path of movementroi2 mold 69 dueto the Tforce of gravity upon those parts. l1 dragl arm 111 is tiredupon the main shaft 10st and at its tip carries the upper end of a chain112 connected its lower end to a reach bar 118 projecting laterally fromthe table frame 53. The drag arm 111 projects trom shaft 10st in adirection diametrically opposite to operating arms 107 and 108 and, asthe table frame is suiiiciently heavy, it counterbalances the normaltendency of the pressing device to descend into the path ot movement ofthe mold. Consequently, it is seen that in initial elevation oit themain iii-ame and table trameeethe mold being already cent 'allypositioned in the main frame as in 8-the chain 112 causes the weight olthe pressing device parts to partially oilset the greater weight oi' thetable thus considerably lessening the labor or". the operator.lreferably a turn buckle 114i is inserted in chain 112 for the purposeof adjustment. For convenience in operation the arms 107 and 108 arepositioned as shown with respect to shaft 10d, it being plain from Figs.1, 2 and 8 that whenthe greatest pressure is being exerted by pressertoot 86 the operating arms near the ground where they are readilygrasped and moved by the operator. y

Each oi' the rails 67 and 68 of the mold raceway carries a pair ofrollers 115 and on these rollers is supported a mold carriage 116. Amold trame 117 is provided centrally with co-axial laterally extendingtrunnions 118v journaled in the carriage 116. Thus the mold Jrame ismounted for inversion in the carriage and for horizontal travel in theraceway. ln referring to the mold thos'v parts will be considered as topand bottom which are respectively uppermost and lowermost when the moldis positioned below presser foot 86 and in a condition to receivepressure. 1t is to be understood, however, that for convenience infilling and discharge the mold is invertible, the bottom being uppermostin Fig. 1 where the mold stands at the forward end of its raceway inposition to be charged with concrete. lvlounted in the upper portion ofthe mold and spaced somewhat wit-hin its sides and ends are :tourhorizontal reetangularly disposed pivot rods 119 (see Figs. 6, 7 and 8)upon which are mounted out-turned lugs 121 formed at the upperextremities o1 opposite side walls 122 and opposite end walls 128, thesetour walls 'forming a mold box. it their lower ends side walls 122 areformed with outturned horizontal flanges 121 and similar' i'ianges 125are formed on the lower edges of end walls 128. As best seen in Figs. 6and 9, expansion springs 126, adjustably mounted in the mold box` frame117 are connected in pairs to each side and end wall near its verticaledges to give said walls a normal bias toward expansion trom the closedposition of the mold in Fig. 6 to its opened position shown in Fig. 7.We prefer a construction wherein a chamber` 26a is formed in the moldframe 117 and apertured at its inner end Jfor passage of a pring post126b secured at its inner end into the side or end wall and carrying atits outer end an adjustable nut 126c between which and the inner face ofchamber 126 the spring 126 is compressed. Referring to lllig. 9 it willbe seen that the end walls are closed vby means of a rotatable collar127 mounted in a post 128 bottomed in ilange 125 and carrying, inaddition to a handle 129, 'a projection 181 adapted to be moved in anarcuate path to and against the mold frame 117 and limited in suchmovement by a stop'182 set in the trame. The projections 181 are sodisposed as to force their respective end walls inward of the mold toclosed position against thD force of springs 126 and to hold the endwalls closed against pressure exerted in the mold, the axes of theseprojections standing perpendicular to the frame 117 in the closedposition of the end walls and in alinement with the center et post 128.Such a position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 9, and bycounter-clockwise movement of handle 129, as seen in mold operatingshaft 133 is journaled "at its ends in bearings 130 formed in the endsof Y the mold boX frame. These shafts stand between the sidewalls 122and the mold frame. Means for turning the shafts 133 are provided ateach side of the machine in a shaft operating lever 134 pivoted on oneof the trunnions 118 and universally pivoted (see Fig. 6) by means of aball and socket joint 135 to a shaft operating arm 136 extendingtangentially from shaft 133 and bent at right angles for pivotalmounting radially in the shaft. inasmuch as the ball and socket joint135 moves in an arcuate path, the pivotal mounting of operating arm 136provides suiiicient play in that portion of the arm which is tangentialto the shaft to accommodate the arcuate movement. Each of the side walls122 is provided on its outer face, opposite shaft 133, with a cam 137having a lower face standing oblique to the outer surface of the walland an upper face paralleling said surface. Mounted in shaft 133 is apin 138 carrying a cam finger 139 positioned to ride upon said surfacesand to close the side walls against the pressure of their springs 126;each cam finger in the closed position of the side walls, abutting thatsurface of the cam lying parallel to the plane of the vside wall andhaving its axis perpendicular lto the wall and in alinement withv theaxis of shaft 133. By this construction the side walls are closedagainst the force of springs 126 and held closedagainst pressure fromwithin the mold. VThe mold shaft operatn ing levers 134 preferablyextend to the same end of the mold frame for convenience in operation.By movement vof these levers from the position illustrated in Fig. 5 tothe position indicated by dotted center line 141 in that figure, eachside wall is released to expansion under the influence lof springs 126,the walls then assuming the position shown in Fig. 7.

Referring toFigs. 5, 6, 7 and 9r it will `be seen that, spaced slightlyfrom their lower edges the side walls are transversely apertured as at142 for sliding movement through the apertures of cores 143 carried on ahorizontally disposed core bar 144 which parallels the outer surface ofthe side wall on each side of the mold and carries a pair of outwardlyprojecting bearing rods 145 loosely mounted for Vsliding movement inslots 146 in the frame. These core bars and cores are actuated 4fromlevers 134 through the medium of arms 147 mounted by means of collars148 on operatingshafts 133. Each core bar carries a pair of spacedvoutwardly extending lugs 149 in each of which is pivoted a wrist block151 diametrically apertured at right angles to its pivotal axis forengagement by core bar operating arm 1-47. The arm 147. being centeredat one end of.

shaft. 133 is by the construction just described mounted for slidingmovement in wrist block' 151 and by reason of the fact that the moldIoperating shafts 133 are considerably. above the core bars 144,y theresulting length of arm 147 provides for movement of the cores through apath considerably longer than the path of movement provided for adjacentportions of the side walls 122. The side mold operating mechanismtherefore moves the side walls to closed position from the relation ofparts shown in Fig. 7 to that of Fig. 6 land simultaneously shoots ythecores 143 intoy the mold vcavity until core bars 144 ystrike thesidewalls. Upon reverse movementV of ythe cores the walls are expanded fromeach otherftoy per mit descent ofl a finished block 4from the mold andthe sliding cores 143 are with* drawn preferably outwardly; of the innersurfaces 4ofV the side walls 122y as illustrated in Fig. 7. Thesildingcores 143 on the inner side andthe bearing rods 145' on they*outer side properly support the relatively heavy core bars 144.Obviously, sliding cores `of any desired number and .shape may bemounted `on the core bar for ymovement through the side walls. For thepurpose of forming peripheral grooves 152 in the finished block halfround bars of steel 153 may be removablysecured in any suitable man-yner` not shown to the inner faces of sideV walls 122;

The mold plunger which we employ is generally indicated at 154 in Figs.3, 6 and4 7 and comprises a substantially yhorizontal molding wall 155provided with one or rmore transverse upstanding corrugations 156carrying down-turned projections 157 ,the corrugations and theirprojections being em-k ployed to form reinforced spacing studs 158 l onthe back of the finished block as best seen in Figs. 3 and 6. Theplunger 154 is movable vertically between the side and end walls ofthemold boX and is adapted to receive the thrust of presser foot 86 upon.

roo

thrustwebs 159 which rise vertically from the apices of corrugationsy156 thereby .proyiding an extremely strong plunger reinforced 'againstdistortion under pressure byy lreason of thek fact that thrust webs 159are and 7) which are loosely mounted in bearing apertures 163 formed inthe upper portions of the side walls 122. The slots 161 extend upwardlyto any suitable distance in order that the plunger may descend Vso rfarinthe mold box as to form arnold cavity of any desired minimumthickness. As to downward extension the plunger slots 161 are of alength sufficient to permit their elevation in the plunger as far asnecessary to provide a mold cavity of any desired maxi mum depth. As amatter of fact, the plunger in moving from the compressed positionillustrated in Fig. 6, wherein the mold cavity is occupied by a finishedblock 164, to a position farther removed from the position of thepalette board 85, actually drops in the mold box because of inversion ofthe mold in the carriage 116. The slots 161 provide for a maximum dropof this kind but this retracting movement of the plunger from the lowerendsV of the side and end walls is limited by means of a stop bar 165spanning the tops of the thrust webs 159 (see Figs. 3, 6 and 8) andengaged, through apertures provided, by a pair of eye bolts 166 each ofwhich embraces at its lower end the center of one of the thrust rods169J and carries a stop nut 167 threaded at itsupper end. llllhen themold is inverted the thrust webs, in dropping with the plunger, carrvstop bar 165 downwardly with them until the stop bar strikes the stopnuts 167. Bv adjustment of nuts 167 on eye bolts 166 the depth of themold cavity to be charged with concrete is varied it being understoodthat in the operation of the present invention the mold cavity, whenchargechniust normally be of greater depth than the thickness ofthefinished article'inV order to provide for the compression which resultsfrom the action of the pressing device. llhen the mold is in its uprightposition in the center of the press as illustratedin Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6and 7 the downward travel of the plunger is preferably limited by theconcrete being pressed rather than by contact between any relativelymovable parts of the mold. Thus it will he seen in 6 that the upper ends of slots'161 stand above the top of stop rod 162 even though thearticle 164A is under full .compression V'Preferably we provide parallelspaced pillow blocks 168 parallcling stop bar 165 fand removablfvvsecured by bolts 169 across the upper edges of the thrust webs 159.These blocks are preferably made of wood and stand slightlyv abovetheupper edges of the walls of the plunger, the presser foot 86 beingshaped to descend hetween the side and end walls of the mold box andupon the tops of the pillow blocks 168.`

Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and .ll it will be seen that in the outersurface each silol wall in plunger a vertically disposed channel 171 iscut which extends from suhstantially the center of the side walls of theplunger downwardly and intersects the molding face 172 thereof.Positioned on the inner face of each side wall is a fixed core 17 3shaped to closely fit and slide in the channels 171K. .these fixed cores173 .e aiding from the same a shallower groove 175 Figs. 6 and 7.

downwardly below the normal lower position of the molding face 1.72 ofthe plunger andhaving their lower extremities flush vwith the upperportions of the core apen tures 142, thelower extremities of the fixedcores beingshaped to conform to the configuration of the core apertures.111-2 in order that cores 14:3 may slide in contact with the lowerextremities of the fixed cores. lnasmuch as `cores 15 are shot into themold cavity a distance greater than the horizontal thickness of thefixed cores 173 the result ofthe action of the mold in this respect isvthe formation in the finished article of a deep recessff174-and openingrectangularly Y'nich intersects the back or upper surface of thefinished article as that article is viewed in By this coringconstruction the finished block is cored in a manner `cores 173 andtheir channels 171 in the plunger not onlyy extend parallel with thedirection of movement of the plunge in the mold box but are like rise ofsutlicient ei:- tent to permit the making of a block of maximun'ithickness without disengagement vof the fixed cores :from their channelsso that, when the mold is inverted for charging as in Fig. 1, theplunger may be retracted to the capacity of the'mold without uncoverinethechannels'll thereby preventing the elf trance of concrete `into thesechannels during theinverted closed position of the mold.

lVhen the freshly molded block 16l has been discharged from the mold itrests uponV the palette board ihich itself lies upon the'spacing plateSel positioned on the table top '72. The mold is subsequently closedfrom the position of Fig. 7 to the position shown in Figs. 3,5, 6, 8 andl9, and is then inverted and drawn along-its raccway to the chargingposition as illustrated in Fig. 1. Concrete is now poured into theupwardly exposed open mold cavity in quantity neces sary to form anotherblock. Bolted to each flange 125 of the end walls 1523 ofthe mold '85 isslidingly inserted between the spacd ing blocks 177 to close the moldcavity, the flanges 125, the spacing blocks 177 and thev plates 176embracing respectively the innery surface thev end edges and the outersurface of the palette board preventing dislodgment of the palette boardfrom the mold upon reversing the latter from .the charging position tothe pressing position shown in Figs. 8, 6 and 7. When the end walls ofthe mold are released by opera-tion of the handles 129 the end wallsexpand from each other under the inlluenee. of their sprinos 126. Theseparation of the lower ends of the end walls 128 is amp-le to drawplates 176 outwardly beyond the ends of the palette board 85 thusreleasing the board for transportation upon Ythe table. rlhe spacing`plate 84 is provided upon theV table in order that the palette boardplates 176 shall clear the top of the table during the opening movementof the mold.

ln'Figs. 10, 1.1 and 12 is illustrated a modified forni of plunger forthe mold box of ou invention shaped to form a bloeit much heavier at oneside of the mold trunnion axis 118 than at the other, this bleek,numbered 17 8, being a corner bloelr for use in connecting angled walls.Vilere it not for the Constantly horizontal position of the table andthe Construction whereby the table is in eontaet with the palette boardwhen the fiolded bloei; is released the overbalaneed Condition of the.bleek 178 would cause the mold to tilt to the heavier side on itstrunnions and dropthe bleek, or the one end of it upon the table withthe shattering` of the bloei; as a probableV result. This modiiied tornaof plunger is indieated at 179 and, in Figs. 11 and 12, it is shown aspositioned in the end walls of the mold box and above the palette board85. By reason of a eore 181 provided in the angie between the horizontaland substantially vertical molding surfaces 18.2 and 188 respectively ofthe plunger 179 the bloeit 178 is formed with two edge gussets 184 whiehserve to strengthen the union between the angularly extending portionsof the bloeit. lt is obviousthat the eoniiguration of the molding faeeof the plunger of our invention may be altered in various ways but bythe positioning of table 72 the mold, though overbalaneed at one end onits trnnnions 118, will always discharge its bleek in horizontalposition upon the'table 'rithout jar or lateral sliding,- of the blockon the table. n Y

ln the operation of our invention andy eonsidering the -membersinitially in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the table is rolled inwardlyuntil studs 79stril e guides 82. The press is designed to beinostconveniently operated by two workmen. @ne of these nien charges theinverted open mold eavity with eonerete and slides'palette board 85 intoposition9 as in Fig. 1, following which he reverses the mold in itstrunnion and pushes it into the position shown in Fig. 3. The sameworkman now pulls operating` arm'108 down Jardly to assist the otherworkman who is pulling ul'iwardly on arin 56 to bring the table frame toelevated position. Then the table frame has nearly'approaehed elet/atedposition spacing plate 84 strikes the bottom of palette board 85compressing the springs 78 andbringing the table into direet eontaetwith the rigid rollers 7 7 the chain 112 transferring part of the foreeexerted upon arm 108 to the table frame duringlthe greater part of theupward movement of the table frame. J ust before exerting the greatestforee Vupon the main shaft 104 the operator pulling on arm 108 allowsthat arm to stand stationary whiley the other operator, by means of arm57, completes the elevation of the table and until legs 46, 47 and 48have passed through the vertical portion and detent 67 has struelragainst pillar 26. Both operators now respectively grasp the arms 108and 107 and pull those armste the position indicated by the dottedeenter line 109 of Fig. 1 and by the full line positions in Figs. 2 andrlhe force which they now exert upon shaft 104 drives plunger 154, or179,-O

Vrl`he walls of the mold are now in the position illustrated in Fig. 7.The operators now move arms 108, 107 56 and 57, withdrawing` Dresserfoot 86 from Contact with t 'ie pillow blocks 168 and lowering the tableframe to the position it oeeupies in Fig. 1. The descent of the moldedarticle permits the plunger V154 to drop to the limit allowed bv theslots 161 following which, the nompleted' bleek 164 travels in ahorizontal posi* tion vertically downward froml the mold until the tableframey is fully lowered, following;` which, one of the operators drawsthe.

table to the position shown in Fig. 1, when he removes the freshlymolded artiele from the table, the article still standing upon thepalette board on which it was molded. Handles 129 are nowoperated toelose the end veils 128 of the mold boi; and the mold operating levers134 are also oppositely rotated upon trunnions 118 to elose sidewalls123 and simultaneously shoot Cores 143 into the position shown in Fig.6. The mold is new run in: earriage 116 along` the raeeway rails 67 and68 to the outer end of the raeeway where it is inverted to the lpositionshown in 1. Upon this inversion of the ,l mold the plunger 154 dropswithin the Closed mold bosY until stop bar 165 strikes stop nut 167: bythis means the plunger is retracted in the ymold to form a. `mold eavitywhich will hold an amonnt'of eonerete that will, when eompressed, form ablock of desired thickness. When stop bar strikes stop nut 167 in thelast above mentioned position oi the mold, the press is ready forrecharging and repetition oi the operations just described.

ive claim z Y l. ln a block press, the combination with a downwardlydischarging mold, of a table trame mounted in the press for movement ina con. tantly horizontal position toward and troni the bottom'oi themold through an arcuate path, a table glidingly mounted on said tableframe, and vertical guides fixed in the press and engaged by the tablewhereby the table is reciprocated vertically during the movement of thetable trame.

ln a block press, the combination with a main trame, of a table tramemounted in the main trame for movement in a constantly horizontalposition through an arcuate path, table gliding-ly mounted on said tabletrame, and vertical guides lined on the main frame and engaged by thetable whereby the table is reciprocated vertically during the movementoi the table trame.

3. ln a block press, the combination with a main trame, oi a table tramemounted in the main frame for movement in a constantly horizontalposition through an arcuate path, a table glidingly mounted on the table-iframe, guide studs'projecting from the table, and channel shapedvert-ical guides fixed on the main frame for engagement by said studswhereby the table is vertically reciprocated lduring the movement of thetable frame; corresponding legs of said guides terminating short of thelower ends oi the respectively opposed legs whereby, the table, whenlowered, is permitted movement later ally on one side only of theguides.

d. .ln a block press, the combination with a main trame, of a tabletrame positioned therein; a mounting for the table 'frame comprisingparallel spaced legs oi equal length pivoted at their upper ends onpara-llel axes in the table frame and at their lower ends on parallelaxes in the main frame; a table glidingly mounted on the table trame,and vertical guides engaged by the table whereby the table isreciprocated vertically during movement of the table frame` in a blockpress, the combination with a main traine, ot a table :trame positionedtherein; a mounting ier the table trame comprising parallel spaced legsoi equal lengt-li pivoted at their upper ends on parallel in the tabletrame and at their lower ends on parallel axes in the main frame; atable gliding-ly mounted on the table trame, and vertical guides engagedby the table whereby the table is reciprocated vertically duringmovement of the table frame, said table frame, when lowered, projectingfrom one side of said main frame, and the corresponding sides ot saidvertical guides being shortened at their lower ends.

G. ln a block press, the combination with a table frame, of a table,vertically slotted bearings depending from the table, rollers adapted torun on the table frame and jonrnaled in said slots, and springsinterposed between the rollers and the table whereby the table isnormally supported upon and spaced above the rollers, said tableoverlying the rollers and resting directly thereon 'when said springsare compressed.

7. in a. block press, the combination with a table trame, of a table,vertically slotted bearings depending from the table, flat sur- -taecdrollers adapted to run on the table Jframe and journaled in said slots,and springs interposed between the rollers and the table whereby thetable is normally supported upon and spaced above the rollers, saidbearings overlapping the sides of the table trame to guide the tablelongitudinally thereof, said table overlying the rollers and restingdirectly thereon when said springs are compressed.

8. ln a block press, the combination with a table frame constituting ahorizontal track; of a table adapted to travel on the same andcomprising a top, and vertically slotted side flanges depending from thetop; rollers journaled in the slots of the flanges, and leaf springssupported from the rollers and exerting upward pressure on the table topwhereby said top is normally held spaced above the rollers, said tableoverlyino; the rollers and resting directly thereon when springs arecompressed.

.ln a block press, the combination with a table, a track therefor, oftable carrying elements running on the track, and compressible meansnormally holding the table spaced from said elements, said means beingcompressible to bring the table and said element-s into contact.

l0. In a block press, the combination with a table having dependingflanges, and a track therefor, ofa axles journaled in vertical slotsformed in said flanges, leaf springs fixed to the table, the free endsof said springs being bent downwardly from the table and bottomedon saidaxles, and track supported rollers carried by the axles, said springsbeing colnpressible to bring the table and said rollers into contact.

ll. In a block press, the combination with a mold, of a table framebelow the same, mechanism for raising and lowering said trame, tablecarrying elements on the table frame, a table, and resilient meansnormally holding the table spaced above said elements; said mechanismbeing so propor-V tioned that its complete elevation causes contactbetween the table and mold and subsequent contact between the table andsaid elements.

12. In a block press, the combination with .a main frame ,and a mold.,of a table frame,

mechanism wherebythe same is mounted below the mold for movement in apath extending downwardly and outwardly thereof, table carrying elementsrunning on the table frame, a table, resilient means nor- Inally holdingthe table spaced above said elements, guide studs projecting from thetable, and vertical guides engaged by said guide studs whereby the tableis vertically reciprocated during the movement of the table frame, saidmechanism being so proportioned that its completel elevation causescontact between the table and mold and subsequent ccntact between thetable and said elements.

13. In a block press, the combination with a main frame, of a moldmovable therein, a pressing foot having a gravity induced tendency toenter the Vpath of movement of the mold, a gravity lowered tablecarrying frame of suiiicient weight to overcome said tendency, andconnections whereby the foot' is counterbalanced by said table frame.

111. Ina block press, the combination of a pressing foot urged bygravity toward its operative position, `a table carrying frame loweredby gravity, .and connections whereby said foot is drawn to itsinoperative position by the descending table frame.

15. In a block press, the combination of a movable mold, a pressingdevice having a gravity induced tendency to enter its operative positionin the path ot movement of the mold, a gravity lowered table frameadapted, when in its raised position, to oppose pressure exerted on themold by saidy device and a connection between said device and the tableframe whereby they counterbalance each other and whereby operation ofsaid device elevates the table frame.

16. In a block press, the combination with a main frame, and a laterallymovable mold, of a pressing device mounted for vertical adjustment inthe main frame and having a gravity induced tendency to enter itsoperative position in the path of movement of the mold, a gravitylowered table frame adapted, when in its raised position, to opposepressure exerted on the mold by said device, and an adjustableconnection between said device and the table frame whereby theycounterbalance each other and whereby operation of said device elevatesthe table frame.

17. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame; of a mold boxcomprising opposite walls pivoted in theframe; a plunger reciprocablebetween said walls and provided with oppositely registering slotselongated'in the direction of reciprocation, and a stop rod having itsends loosely mounted insaid walls and traversing the slots of theplunger. j

18. In a mold, ythe combination with a mold frame; of a mold boxcomprising op'- posite walls movably mounted in the Jframe; a plungerreciprocable between said walls, and means carried by the walls forlimiting the movement of the plunger.

19. In a mold, the combination with aV stop bar carried on the plungerand cross-V ing said rod, a bolt connected to the rod and traversing anaperture in the bar, and a nut threaded on the free end of the bolt.

21. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame; of a mold boxcomprising opposite walls movably mounted in the frame; a plungerreciprocable between said walls, and means carried by the' wallsandengaging parts on the plunger for limiting movement of the plunger inone direction and for adjustably limiting its movement in the oppositedirection.

y 22. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame; of a mold boxcomprising opposite walls movably mounted in the Jr'rame; a plungerreciprocable betweenv said walls, and means carried by the walls foradjustably limiting movement of the plunger.

`23. In a mold, the combination with laterally movable walls, of aplunger reciprocable between said walls and having outwardly exposedchannels paralleling its'direction of movement, and cores fixed on thewalls and litting said channels.

24. ,In a mold, the combination withL a mold wall, of a plungerreciprocable along the face of said wall and having a channel whichopens against the wall and parallels the direction of movement of theplunger, and a core ixed on the wall and fitting said channel.

25. In a mold, the combination with a mold wall,of a plungerreciprocable along the Jface of said wall and having a channel whichopens against the wall and parallels the direction ofmovement of theplunger, and a core fixed on the wall and fitting said channel, saidchannel intersecting the moldingface of the plunger and said ixed coreVprojecting inwardly of the mold beyond said molding face. 4

26. In a mold, the combination with a moldframe, of walls lpivoted alongcorresponding edgesto said frame to orm an expanding mold box, springsmounted in the frame and connected/to the walls to move them normally toexpanded position, and rotatable wall closing elements interposedbetween the walls and said frame.

27. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, of walls pivoted aloncorresponding edges to said frame to form an expanding mold box, springsmounted in the frame and connected to the walls to move them normally toexpanded position, and rotatable wall closing elements interposedbetween the walls and said frame an?. positioned to hold the walls inclosed position against the pressure of the springs.

28. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, of an expanding moldbox mounted therein and comprising a movable wall having a normaltendency to move to expanded position, a mold shaft journaled in saidframe, a cam formed on said wall. having a surface inclined with respectto the plane of the wall when closed and a surface paralleling thatplane, and a stud extending` radially of the shaft, said stud beingpositioned to traverse the inclined surface of the cam to close saidwall upon oscillation of the shaft and to stand in perpendicular contactwith said parallel cam surface when the wall is in closed position.

29. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, of a mold box mountedtherein and comprising an expanding mold wall having a core aperture anda normal bias toward expanded position, a mold shaft journaled in theframe, a core mounted for reciprocation in said aperture, and ,devi-cesfixed upon said shaft whereby oscillation of the shaft in one directioncloses the wall and shoots the core inwardly thereof and the reverseoscillation of the shaft withdraws the core and releases the wall.

30. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, of a mold box mountedtherein and comprising an expanding mold wall having a core aperture anda normal bias toward expanded position, a mold shaft journaled in theframe, a core mounted for reciprocation in said aperture, and devicesfixed upon said shaft whereby oscillation of the shaft in one directionmoves the wall to and holds it in closed position and shoots the coreinwardly thereof and the reverse oscillation of the shaft withdraws thecore and releases the wall.

31. In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, of a mold box mountedtherein and comprising an expanding mold wall having a core aperture anda normal bias toward expanded position, a mold shaft journaled in theframe, a core mounted for reciprocation in said aperture, and devicesfixed upon said shaft whereby oscillation of the shaft in one directioncloses the wall and shoots the core inwardly thereof and the reverseoscillation of the shaft withdraws the core and releases the wall, saiddevices being proportioned to move the core through a path longer thanthat of the adjacent portion of the wall.

32. A mold, comprising a mold frame, a movable mold wall mountedtherein, a reciprocable core mounted in the wall, a mold shaft journaledin the frame, wall and core operating devices carried on the shaft, ashaft operating lever fulcrumed on an axis perpendicular to said wallwhen closed, and a shaft operating arm universally pivoted to said leverand pivoted to said shaft tangentially thereof.

38. A mold, comprising a mold frame, a mold wall carried therein andhaving spaced core apertures, a core bar positioned between said walland the frame, cores fixed uponthe bar and slidably engaging saidapertures, and bar operating mechanism, said bar being reciprocablebetween the wall and frame andcontacting with each to limit themovements of said cores.

34. A mold comprising a mold frame, a mold wall pivoted therein, andhaving spaced core apertures, a core bar positioned between said walland the frame, cores fixed upon the bar and slidably and closely fittingsaid apertures, slide rods mounted in the frame and supporting said bar,and mechanism for reciprocating the bar and swinging-said wall.

35. A mold comprising a mold frame, a mold wall pivoted therein, andhaving spaced core apertures, a core bar positioned between said 4walland the frame, cores fixed upon the bar andk slidably and closelyfitting said apertures, slide rods mounted in the frame and supporting`said bar, and mechanism for reciprocating the bar and swinging saidwall, said mechanism being adapted to reciprocate the bar in a pathconstantly perpendicular to the wall and longer than the path of swingof the adjacent portion of the wall.

36. In a mold, the combination with a mold wall, of a plungerreciprocable along the inner face thereof and having a channel whichopens against the wall, intersects the molding face of the plunger andparallels the direction of movement of the plunger, a core fixed on thewall, fitting said channel and projecting inwardly of the mold beyondsaid molding face, said wall having a transverse aperture flush with theinner extremity of the fixed core, and a sliding core mounted in theaperture and reciprocable across and in contact with said innerextremity'of the fixed core.

37. In a mold, the combination with a mold wall, of a plungerreciprocable along the inner face thereof and having a channel whichopens against the wall, intersects the molding face of the plunger andparallels the direction of movement of the plunger, a core fixed on thewall, fitting said channel and projecting inwardly of the mold beyondsaid molding face, said wall having a transverse aperture flush with theinner extremity of the lixed core, and a sliding core mounted in theaperture and reciprocable across and in contact with said innerextremity of the Xed core, said sliding core being movable inwardly ofthe wall beyond the Xed core.

3S.' In a mold, the combination with a mold frame, and a palette board,of opposite walls pivoted in the frame and formed to overlap the-endsand outer face of said board, and means interposed between each wall andthe mold frame for resisting swing of the walls outwardly of the board,said means being releasable and said walls having a normal tendency torecede from the board.

39. In a block press, the combination with a main frame, of a horizontalraceway supported therein,'a carriage running on the raceway, a moldframe trunnioned in the carriage, and a mold carried by the mold frame.

40. A block press comprising, a main frame, a pressure supporting tablepositioned in the lower portion thereof, a pressing device in the framespaced above and exerting pressure toward said table, an invertible,downwardly discharging, expanding mold carried in the frame for movementinto and out of alinement with said table and device, and a movablemounting for the table whereby it is vertically reciprocated beneath themold, said mounting comprising a table frameone end of which isadaptedto stand laterally of the main frame and on which the table is glidinglysupported.

41. In a block press, the combination with a main frame,fof a downwardlydischarging mold trunnioned therein on a horizontal aXis and shaped toform in horizon- `tal position and discharge without movement from saidposition a block which is heavier on one side of' the axis than ontheother, and a constantly horizontalr table vertically yreciprocablebeneath the mold and movable into contact therewith whereby said 'blockis discharged and carried from thefmold in horizontal position.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto ailiXed our signatures.

WILLIAM C. BURRELL. JOHN BELLINGHAM.

